JW200
bespoke masonry solutions unlock design potential
In the built environment, complex design concepts can have an impact on both cost, buildability and project timelines. This is why collaboration has never been more important and housebuilders who want high levels of brick detailing alongside robust structural performance. A recent mixed-use project in central London proves how effective bespoke masonry support systems and prefabricated Brick Slip Arches can be when used to deliver a façade that blends seamlessly with traditional hand-laid brickwork. It highlights the challenges of working with handmade bricks and intersecting arch details, and how design-led partnerships can ensure architectural vision is carried through to construction. ABC&D
Crafting the Lambeth Mission Early engagement was key to the delivery of Lambeth Mission, a striking mixed- use development in central London. The project saw IG Masonry Support collaborate with the designers and site team to resolve complex façade requirements. This ensured the bespoke Brick Slip Arches were designed and manufactured to achieve a seamless hand-laid appearance. Positioned directly opposite the Grade II-listed Imperial War Museum, this prominent development features a 12-storey, 137-bedroom hotel, modern community facilities, and two residential apartments for the Methodist Church, originally designed by Studio Kyson as the scheme’s design architect. IG Masonry Support collaborated with Aros Architects, the delivery architect, HG Construction, and brickwork specialist Bishop to design and manufacture 105 bespoke Brick Slip Arches and more than 120m of Welded Masonry Support, meeting both the structural and aesthetic requirements of the project. One of the project’s main technical challenges was achieving perfect alignment between multiple intersecting arches, particularly around the terrace area, which featured ten interconnected arches, including five internal and one external corner. Each element had to connect precisely while accommodating structural movement joints. IG’s design team developed custom templates and a series
of test arches to ensure brick placement remained accurate and visually seamless across every elevation. The handmade bricks chosen for the
project introduced another level of complexity. Their natural bowing, irregular sizes and rough edges, made them difficult to cut and align but this was essential to achieving the architect’s vision of a traditional hand-laid finish. Using bricks sourced directly from site, IG’s team embraced these imperfections, crafting units in a factory-controlled setting that replicated the authenticity of onsite masonry while saving time and labour. The Brick Slip Arches and Welded
Masonry Support were engineered to bolt directly to the steel structure, accommodating varying cavity widths and complex junctions. Deep soffit units were fabricated in two parts to work around the steel perimeter, with joints carefully pointed onsite to maintain an uninterrupted appearance. “We approached IG in the first instance because of their known expertise in
delivering high-quality masonry support solutions, said Natasha Coutts, Associate at Aros Architects. “They were the first people that we approached, and the only people that we approached. From the very first meeting, it was clear they would be the right fit.” Antony Dixon, Site Manager at Bishop, added: “Their engineers were onsite for the installation of the first arch. Whenever I needed support, a quick phone call was all it took. They helped us keep the project moving forward.” Every masonry support solution is designed and manufactured with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that even the most complex masonry support system performs flawlessly on site. With building standards under greater scrutiny than ever before, rigorous testing, full traceability and adherence to the highest standards give specifiers confidence that structural integrity and visual quality go hand-in-hand, allowing ambitious design concepts to be realised without compromise. With the sector continuing to demand façades that deliver on design intent, IG Masonry Support helped bring Lambeth Mission’s bold architectural vision to life, successfully delivering complex masonry solutions that look as if they were crafted entirely by hand. The result is a standout project that blends modern construction with traditional detailing, and once again highlights IG’s commitment to quality, collaboration, and innovation.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
